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Physical characterization and biodegradation of fibers produced by melt-spinning of aliphatic polyesters
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This study characterized the processing, mechanical properties, and biodegradability of melt-spun fibers from six biodegradable polymers (PLA, PGA, PHA, PBS, PCL, and copolymers), finding promising performance but identifying thermal degradation during processing as a key challenge for scaling production of low-microplastic textiles.
The increasing environmental concerns surrounding synthetic fibers, particularly their contribution to microplastic pollution are driving research toward sustainable alternatives. This study explores the processing, thermal, mechanical, and environmental characteristics of melt-spun biodegradable fibers derived from various biodegradable polymers, including polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), and some copolymers. The melt-spinning process was optimized to address challenges such as thermal degradation, low melt strength, and crystallization limitations. The resulting fibers were analyzed for their mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and biodegradation potential under different environmental conditions, including composting and weathering assessments. The findings indicate that fiber performance is highly dependent on the polymer structure and processing parameters, with PLA and PGA demonstrating superior tensile properties and crystallization behavior, whereas PHA and most copolymers exhibited processing limitations or low-tenacity fibers. The results provide some insights into the development of high-performance biodegradable fibers suitable for textile and technical applications, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic fibers.
More Papers Like This
A Review on Melt-Spun Biodegradable Fibers
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This review covers advancements in melt-spun biodegradable fibers as a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic fibers that contribute to micro- and nanoplastic pollution. Researchers highlight how various biodegradable polymers can be processed using eco-friendly melt-spinning techniques, offering a potential path toward reducing fiber-based plastic contamination in the environment.
Study of the biodegradability of polylactide fibers in wastewater treatment processes
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Researchers exposed polylactide (PLA) fibers — a common biodegradable bioplastic — to activated sludge under both mesophilic and thermophilic wastewater treatment conditions, finding very limited degradation even under thermophilic conditions. The results show that PLA fibers are not effectively broken down during standard wastewater treatment and may persist in the environment similarly to conventional synthetic fibers.
Textile Fiber Pollution:Relating Textile Featuresto Fiber Release in Pilling Experiments
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Researchers evaluated the contribution of physical, dynamic, and thermomechanical textile properties to microfiber release susceptibility in pilling experiments, finding that fiber nature, dimensional features, and mechanical properties collectively determine a textile's propensity to shed microplastic fibers.
Microfibers generated from the laundering of cotton, rayon and polyester based fabrics and their aquatic biodegradation.
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This study measured the number of microfibers released during laundering of cotton, polyester, and rayon fabrics under different temperatures and detergent conditions. All three fiber types shed significant quantities of microfibers, with higher water temperatures increasing shedding — raising concerns about synthetic and natural fiber contributions to aquatic microplastic pollution.
Performance Spectrum of Home-Compostable Biopolymer Fibers Compared to a Petrochemical Alternative
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Researchers compared home-compostable biopolymer fibers to conventional petrochemical alternatives, evaluating their mechanical performance and degradability to assess whether biobased materials can serve as viable substitutes that reduce microplastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.